Echeveria plant named ‘Sahara’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Echeveria  cultivar named ‘Sahara’ is disclosed, characterized by excellent resistance to stressors, including excellent resistance to both heat and cold and constant exposure to the sun, making it an excellent landscape plant. The new cultivar displays enhanced disease resistance as compared to other  Echeverias , in particular to the pathogens  Rhizoctonia, Fusarium,  and Powdery Mildew.  Echeveria  ‘Sahara’ is more easily and rapidly propagated due to robust growth and enhanced resistance to stressors. In addition, the new cultivar ‘Sahara’ offsets profusely, quickly forming clumps, enabling increased and faster propagation. The new cultivar produces larger flowers, compared to many other  Echeveria  cultivars. The new variety is an  Echeveria , part of the Crassulaceae complex that includes  Pachyphytum, Graptopetalum, Sedum  and others.  Echeveria  is a popular genus, typically produced as container plants or landscape plants.

Latin name of the genus and species: Echeveria hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘SAHARA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Echeveria cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated from a cross pollination of the proprietary, unpatented, seed parent, Echeveria ‘B71-J2’ with the pollen parent an unpatented, proprietary variety of Echeveria referred to as ‘13-17.’ The cross pollination was made during April of 2010 in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse. The new cultivar ‘Sahara’ was discovered and selected by the inventor, Renee O'Connell, in March of 2011, in Vista, Calif. at a commercial greenhouse.

The seed parent is the, unpatented, proprietary variety referred to as Echeveria ‘B71-J2’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, propriety variety referred to as Echeveria ‘13-17’. The new variety was discovered in March of 2011 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2010 crossing, in a commercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Sahara’ was first performed in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse, by vegetative cuttings in May of 2011. ‘Sahara’ has since produced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SAHARA’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SAHARA’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SAHARA’ as a new and distinct Echeveria cultivar:

-   -   1. Exhibits excellent heat and sun resistance not shown by other         comparable Echeveria varieties.     -   2. Exhibits excellent cold resistance not shown by other         comparable Echeveria varieties.     -   3. Exhibits the rare combination of heat and cold resistance,         not observed in other comparable Echeveria cultivars.     -   4. Much more easily and rapidly propagated due to robust growth         and enhanced resistance to environmental stress.     -   5. Exhibits enhanced disease resistance, in particular, to the         diseases Rhizoctonia, Fusarium and Powdery Mildew.     -   6. Larger flowers than most comparable Echeveria.     -   7. Freely offsetting, allowing for increased and more rapid         propagation.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SAHARA’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Echeveria ‘B71-J2’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘SAHARA’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. Greater cold and heat tolerance.     -   2. Much larger flowers.     -   3. Greater disease resistant.     -   4. More prolific growth, enhancing cutting production.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SAHARA’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, Echeveria ‘13-17’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘SAHARA’ differs in the following;

-   -   1. More attractive rosette, as it exhibits more marginal         crenulation.     -   2. Greater disease resistance; particularly resistant to powdery         mildew.     -   3. More prolific growth, enhancing cutting production and         creating an attractive large cluster.     -   4. Much larger, not uncommon for the cluster to measure 14″ or         more in diameter.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SAHARA’ are comparable to the unpatented, commercial variety Echeveria ‘Afterglow’. The two Echeveria varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘SAHARA’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Forms a more concentric rosette than does Echeveria         ‘Afterglow’, producing a more aesthetically uniform rosette         plant form.     -   2. Offsets more profusely than Echeveria ‘Afterglow’ ,         increasing the propagation rate, and producing a morphologically         aesthetic cluster.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SAHARA’ can also be comparable to the unpatented commercial variety Echeveria ‘Imbricata’. The two Echeveria varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘SAHARA’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Superior heat and cold tolerance.     -   2. Greater disease resistance, in particular to the diseases         Fusarium, Rhizoctonia and Powdery Mildew.     -   3. More adaptable to a wider set of environmental stressors,         such as cold, heat, drought, and has greater longevity in the         landscape environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 shows in full color the rosette of the new cultivar ‘Sahara’.

FIG. 2 shows in full color the inflorescence of the new cultivar ‘Sahara’. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 14 weeks from a well rooted plantlet.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to the Pantone Process Color System Guide, Pantone CYMK, 2014, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Sahara’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from −1° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Echeveria hybrid ‘SAHARA’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Terminal vegetative divisions. -   Time to initiate roots: About 15 days at approximately 21° C. -   Root description: Fibrous.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 6 months. -   Container size of the plant described: 19 cm. -   Growth habit: Densely rosulate, sessile. -   Height: Approximately 10.7 cm to top of highest leaf. Approximately     57 cm to the top of the highest inflorescence. -   Plant spread: 23 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderately fast. -   Branching characteristics: Freely offsetting when older.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Rosulate.         -   Average length.—Approximately 10.9 cm.         -   Longest length.—Approximately 13.2 cm.         -   Widest width.—Approximately 8.5 cm.         -   Width at base.—2.2 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Obovate.         -   Apex.—Mucronate.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Slightly undulate.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous, somewhat glaucous.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous, glaucous.         -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Approximately 44.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side, middle of leaf: Near P             126-12 U Pantone. Young foliage, upper side, if glaucous             covering is removed: Near P 144-12 U Pantone. Young foliage             upper side, apex: Near P 126-12 U Pantone. Young foliage,             upper side, base: Near P 64-2 U Pantone. Young foliage,             upper side, margin: Near P 151-1 U Pantone. Young foliage,             upper side, margin near apex: Near P 58-10 U Pantone. Young             foliage, under side: Near P 126-1 U Pantone. Young foliage             underside, if glaucous covering is removed: Near P 168-16 U             Pantone. Young foliage under side, apex: Near P 68-2             Pantone. Young foliage, under side, apical margin: Near             P68-2 Pantone. Young foliage, under side, base: Near P 160-2             U Pantone. Mature foliage upper side: Near P 176-5 U             Pantone. Mature foliage upper side, apex: Near P 178-12 U             Pantone. Mature foliage, upper side, near base: Near P             159-10 U Pantone. Mature foliage upper side, margin: Near P             52-13 U Pantone. Mature foliage, upper side, margin, near             apex: Near P 178-41 U Pantone. Mature foliage, upper side,             apical margin: Near P 62-5 U Pantone. Mature foliage, upper             side, margin, near base: Near P 160-1 U Pantone. Mature             foliage, under side: Near P 78-5 U Pantone. Mature foliage,             under side, apex: Near P 178-11 U Pantone. Mature foliage,             under side, near base: Near P 159-3 U Pantone. Mature             foliage, under side, margin: Near P 52-13 U Pantone.             Venation: There is no visual appearance of venation.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring, Autumn. -   Inflorescence type and habit: Cyme with 4 cincinni. -   Rate of flower opening: 1 flower opens every 2-3 days, depending     upon ambient conditions. -   Flower longevity on plant: 2-3 days, depending upon ambient     conditions. -   Quantity of flowers: 27.     -   -   Total inflorescence size.—Height: Approximately 57 cm.             Width: Approximately 26 cm.         -   Corolla.—Arrangement: Actinomorphic. Size: Length:             Approximately 2.3 cm. Width: Approximately 1.4 cm at widest             point. Lobe Length: Approximately 22 mm. Lobe width:             Approximately 6 mm. Margin: Entire. Shape: Pentagonally             campanulate. Apex: Acute. Texture: Glabrous. Color: Outer             surface, near base: Near P 62-15 U Pantone. Outer surface,             apex: Near P 65-13 U Pantone. Inner surface, near base: P             68-6 U Pantone. Inner surface, apex: Near P 59-10 U Pantone.             Inner surface, apex: Near P 59-7 U Pantone. Petal Color:             When opening: Petal color, outer surface: Near P 79-10-U             Pantone. Petal color, outside tip: P 79-13 U Pantone. Petal             color, outer base: P 56-4 U Pantone. Petal color, inner             base: P 53-5 U Pantone Petal color, inner tip: P 26-16 U             Pantone. Petal Color, Fully opened: Outer surface, near             base: Near P 68-6 U Pantone. Outer surface, apex: Near P             68-7 U Pantone. Inner surface, near base: Near P 59-2-U             Pantone. Inner surface, apex: Near P 59-7 U Pantone. Color             Changes when Aging: Near P 59-14 U Pantone.         -   Bud: (near opening).—Shape: Conical. Length: Approximately             1.5 cm. Diameter: Approximately 0.9 cm. Color, Apex of Bud:             Near P 97-9 U Pantone. Color, Base of Bud: Near P 57-12 U             Pantone.         -   Sepals.—Color, Back of sepal: Near P 79-11 U Pantone. Color,             Front of sepal: Near P 79-12 U Pantone.         -   Pedicels.—Length: Approximately 1 cm. Width: Approximately             0.3 cm. Aspect: Slightly spreading. Color: Near P 82-13 U             Pantone.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens: (Androecium).     -   -   Number.—Average 10.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 1.2 cm.         -   Filament color.—Near P 1-4 U Pantone.         -   Anther length.—0.3 cm.         -   Anther color.—Near P 22-15 U Pantone.         -   Anther shape.—Elliptic.         -   Pollen color.—Near P 7-4 U Pantone. -   Pistil: (Gynoecium).     -   -   Number.—Average 5.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.3 cm.         -   Style color.—Near P 8-15 U Pantone.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Round. Color: Near P 74-15 U Pantone. Ovary             Color: Near P 30-3 U Pantone.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately −2     degrees C. to 32 degrees C. -   Disease/pest resistance: Increased resistance to normal diseases of     Echeveria, in particular to Rhizoctonia, Fusarium and Powdery Mildew     has been observed. Neither resistance nor susceptibility to normal     pests of Echeveria, which include thrips and aphid has been     observed. -   Drought tolerance: Tolerates at least 3 weeks of high temperatures     without supplemental water, showing no serious damage to plant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Echeveria plant named ‘SAHARA’ as herein illustrated and described. 